Fatigue - a symptom in endometriosis

Area of Science:

• Gynecology
• Reproductive Medicine
• Symptomology Research

Background:

• Fatigue is a prevalent yet underestimated symptom in endometriosis, significantly impacting patients' quality of life.
• Despite its frequency, fatigue in endometriosis lacks extensive research and discussion in scientific literature.
• Endometriosis-related fatigue causes significant distress and interferes with daily activities for a majority of affected women.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the frequency of fatigue as a symptom in women with endometriosis.
• To identify factors associated with fatigue in endometriosis patients.
• To emphasize the importance of addressing fatigue in endometriosis management.

Main Methods:

• A multi-center matched case-control study involving 1120 women (560 with endometriosis, 560 controls).
• Data collected via surgical/histological reports and self-administered questionnaires between 2010-2016 in Switzerland, Germany, and Austria.
• Regression analysis used to determine associations, quantified as odds ratios (OR).

Main Results:

• Over half of women with endometriosis (50.7%) reported frequent fatigue, compared to 22.4% in controls (P < 0.001).
• Fatigue was significantly associated with insomnia (OR: 7.31), depression (OR: 4.45), pain (OR: 2.22), and occupational stress (OR: 1.45).
• Associations with fatigue were independent of age, time since diagnosis, and disease stage.

Conclusions:

• Fatigue is a frequent symptom in endometriosis, necessitating its inclusion in clinical discussions and management plans.
• Addressing co-occurring conditions like insomnia, depression, and pain is crucial for effective fatigue management in endometriosis patients.
• Further research is needed to understand the causal mechanisms and optimize treatment strategies for endometriosis-related fatigue.